Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A kit for assembly of exercise apparatus ( 1 ) comprising a first major component ( 2 ) and a second minor component ( 3 ) each with engagement means ( 22 - 25 ) complementary to those on the other and detachably interengagable with each other in alternative mutual orientations of those components ( 2, 3 ) so that the assemblage can be arranged and rearranged at will to assume alternative bench, chair or incline configurations.

[0001] This invention relates to exercise apparatus, and morespecifically, to such apparatus which may be arranged into multipleconfigurations, thus allowing a wide variety of exercises to beperformed thereon.

[0002] Physical fitness, or lack of it, is a consideration to which anever-increasing number of people are paying attention. A “work-out” inthe gym is an activity engaged in by many, whether for the purposes ofleisure and keeping-fit, or for serious training by sports-men and-women.

[0003] Most public or commercial gymnasiums contain a wide variety ofequipment designed for anaerobic, or muscle-building exercises. Theserange from simple weights or “dumb-bells” to sophisticated heavy-dutyequipment such as plate-loaded resistance machines, and so-called“multi-gyms”. Each piece of equipment generally has a schedule ofexercises associated with it, designed to increase the strength of aparticular target muscle or group of muscles.

[0004] A wide range of home gymnasium equipment is also available, muchof it similar to that found in a commercial gymnasium. Many home gymsystems offer a combination of a number of devices and associatedexercise schedules in order to provide an extensive work-out in thehome.

[0005] Whilst these systems appear adequate for their intended purpose,they do have their disadvantages. In the commercial gym, the use of eachpiece of equipment for only a limited range of exercises necessitatesthe employment of many different types of apparatus in order to achievea full work-out for each part of the body which it is desired toexercise. This has the obvious drawback of increased expense in payingfor many pieces of heavy-duty and often very expensive equipment. Inaddition, there is the consideration of the space taken up by suchmachinery, and during busy periods, the inconvenience of having toemploy rotation schedules in order that each customer is able to useeach piece of equipment.

[0006] As noted above, many home gym systems attempt to overcome theseproblems by providing a combination of several pieces of equipment inone. However, these kinds of apparatus tend to be extremely cumbersome,particularly where re-arrangement of the apparatus is necessary in orderto move from one exercise schedule to another. Such operations mayrequire the use of tools to dismantle and re-assemble the apparatus,which is not only awkward and inconvenient, but often unnecessarilycomplicated and time-consuming, and may give rise to safety concerns ifthe apparatus is not correctly re-assembled by the user.

[0007] The use of many known home fitness systems also involveunnecessarily large stresses being exerted on certain parts of theequipment. For example, inclined exercise platforms are often providedwith a facility whereby the angle of the incline may be varied through anumber of pre-determined angles within a range. This is often achievedby rotating the platform around one end thereof, and securing it at thedesired angle of incline by means of a steel pin inserted through a holein the supporting framework. During use of the equipment, the stressesexerted on the pin can become extremely large, particularly where theuser is using weights in combination with their exercise schedule. Thisis a cause for concern, both for the safety of the user, and thelifetime of the equipment.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a simple, lightweight yet durableconstruction of exercise apparatus which will be capable of being usedfor a comprehensive series of exercise schedules, and yet be quickly,easily, and safely manipulated between the different configurationsnecessary for such exercise schedules. These objectives are now attainedby means of the present invention. It is envisaged that exerciseapparatus according to the present invention will be used both byindividuals for home exercise and in exercise classes in gymnasiums.

[0009] The principle on which the present invention is based, is theconstruction of a single exercise station, comprised of components inthe form of simple geometric shapes which co-operate with one another ina variety of orientations, thus allowing the user to switch with theminimum amount of effort, between various known configurations ofexercise apparatus. Many of the most widely used and establishedanaerobic exercise schedules use basic stationary apparatus in the formof “bench”, “chair” or “incline” configurations, and the presentinvention will be described herein with particular reference to theseforms of apparatus, though it is envisaged that the invention may beadapted to encompass other configurations.

[0010] The term “bench” is used herein to refer to exercise apparatuscomprising a lateral exercise platform of sufficient length and width soas to accommodate the head and body of the user when lying flat thereon,but with his or her legs extending beyond the edge of the platform. Theplatform should be of sufficient elevation above the ground such thatthe user when lying in this rest position can with knees bent, place hisor her feet flat against the floor. From this rest position the user canthen perform a range of exercises with or without simple weights such asdumb-bells, or bar-bells. Such exercises may include bench presses,shoulder presses, sit-ups, etc.

[0011] The term “chair” is used herein to refer to an exercise apparatuscomprising a seat portion of sufficient elevation above the ground so asto allow the user to sit thereon and with knees bent place his or herfeet flat against the floor, and a back portion of sufficient length soas to support the user's back and neck when sitting thereon. From thisrest position the user can again perform a range of exercises with orwithout simple weights such as dumb-bells or bar-bells. Exercises inthis position are likely to concentrate on strengthening areas of theupper body such as pectorals, biceps, shoulders etc.

[0012] The term “incline” is used herein to refer to an exerciseapparatus similar to the bench configuration described above but withthe platform inclined at a pre-determined angle. Such an apparatus islikely to be used for exercises such as sit-ups etc. to improve thestrength of lower body or abdominal muscles, the angle of the inclineserving to provide increased resistance against gravity, and thevariation of the working angle from the horizontal offering a morecomprehensive overall strength development programme for the user.

[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided exerciseapparatus in the form of a kit of parts, whether assembled or not, whichcomprises at least a first major component and a second minor component,each provided with engagement means complementary to those on the otherand detachably interengageable therewith in alternative mutualorientations of the components so that the resultant assemblage can bearranged and rearranged at will to assume at least two alternativeconfigurations selected from a range comprising bench, chair and inclineconfigurations.

[0014] In a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the majorand minor components are each substantially symmetrical about a shared,normally-vertical plane of symmetry, which also accommodates the user'sbody-axis when the apparatus is assembled in the bench, chair or inclineconfigurations. The complementary engagement means on both the majorcomponent and the minor component are disposed and are mutuallyengageable and disengageable normal to this plane of symmetry, whenarranging the apparatus so as to form the bench or chair configurations

[0015] The major component is preferably provided with engagement meansin at least three alternative sites thereon, each of theminterengageable at will with complementary engagement means provided ata site on the minor component, said sites on the major component beingso located thereon as to configure the resultant assemblage respectivelyas bench, chair or incline.

[0016] So as to facilitate the inter-engagement of the major and minorcomponents in their various alternative mutual orientations, it iscurrently preferred that, in overall outline in the sharednormally-vertical plane of symmetry that accommodates the user's bodyaxis, the major and minor components are each generally wedge-shaped,with the opposed wedge-forming sides thereof subtending the same angle θin each component. When assembled with one of the wedge-forming faces ofeach component in abutting contact with one of the wedge-forming facesof the other, then the respectively opposed faces of both components areparallel with each other, and thus the assemblage is arranged in itsbench configuration.

[0017] Above all, it is preferred that, in overall outline in the sharednormally-vertical plane of symmetry that accommodates the user'sbody-axis, the major component is a generally wedge-shaped irregularpentagon, having major and minor wedge-forming sides, and the minorcomponent is a generally wedge-shaped irregular tetragon, having firstand second wedge-forming faces, each of said components having twoopposed non-parallel sides subtending the same angle θ in each componentand each having two other opposed generally parallel sides. The pentagonalso has a fifth side intersecting with the minor wedge-forming side atone end thereof, and with the major end-face bearing side of the twogenerally parallel sides at its other end.

[0018] References herein to wedge-forming faces, end-faces, and thefifth face of the pentagon, should be construed accordingly as referringto the respective faces of the three-dimensional major and minorcomponents which correspond to the above-described sides of thetwo-dimensional irregular pentagon and irregular tetragon, when themajor and minor components are viewed in cross-section in the sharednormally-vertical plane of symmetry.

[0019] When assembled with the major end-faces of both componentsside-by-side in the same horizontal plane and with one of thewedge-forming faces of the tetragon in abutting facial contact with thefifth face of the pentagon then the assemblage is arranged so as toassume its chair configuration. The minor end-face of the tetragon liesin an horizontal plane to serve as the seat-portion of said chair, andthe minor wedge-forming face of the pentagon reclines therefrom to serveas the back-portion of said chair.

[0020] The major and minor wedge-forming faces of the major componentconstitute, respectively, the exercise platform when the apparatus isassembled in the bench or incline configuration, and the back supportwhen the apparatus is assembled in the chair configuration.

[0021] When in the bench configuration, the major wedge-forming facewill lie in a horizontal plane, so as to bear the exercise platform ofthe bench. The cross-sectional profile of the entire arrangement when inthis configuration, in the shared vertical plane of symmetry thataccommodates the user's body-axis, will be substantially that of aparallelogram.

[0022] The acute angle, θ subtended by the wedge-forming opposednon-parallel faces of the major component is equal to that subtended bythe wedge-forming opposed non-parallel faces of the minor component; theacute angle, α between the major wedge-forming face of the majorcomponent and a perpendicular from the major end-face thereof is equalto the acute angle between the second wedge-forming face of the minorcomponent and a perpendicular from the major end-face thereof; the acuteangle, β between the minor wedge-forming face of the major component anda perpendicular from the major end-face thereof is equal to the acuteangle between the first wedge-forming face of the minor component and aperpendicular from the major end-face thereof; and α+β=θ. Theback-portion of said chair therefore reclines at an acute angle from thevertical which is equal to β. Preferably, α and β will be substantiallyequal to one another, such that α=β=θ/2.

[0023] In a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the majorcomponent is further provided with a cut-out section in the cornerthereof between its major end-face and the fifth face thereof, whichcut-out section comprises an internal face intersecting the fifth face,being parallel to the major end-face of the major component, and aninternal face intersecting said major end-face, being parallel with themajor wedge-forming face of said major component. The dimensions of thecut-out are complementary with those of the minor component, such thatwhen the minor end of the minor component is mated therewith, its secondwedge-forming face is co-planar with the minor wedge-forming face of themajor component, so that when thus assembled the resultant assemblageassumes its incline configuration.

[0024] When assembled thus, in its incline configuration, the minorwedge-forming face of the major component rests on the ground, as doesthe second wedge forming face of the minor component. The majorwedge-forming face then bears the exercise platform, which is inclinedat an angle θ, from the horizontal.

[0025] It is desirable that the major component should be provided withside-pods around the cut-out section, said side-pods comprising a sideparallel to and co-planar with the fifth side of the pentagon, and aside parallel to and co-planar with the major end-face of the majorcomponent. The side-pods are displaced outwards from the plane of thepentagon so as to constitute extensions of the fifth face thereof andthe major end-face, but still allowing access to the complementaryinternal faces within said cut-out.

[0026] The side pods serve to stabilise the apparatus when in the benchand chair configurations, yet allow the minor component to be insertedinto the cut-out section, in the shared normally-vertical plane ofsymmetry, via the corner of the major component between the fifth faceand the major end-face thereof.

[0027] In the currently preferred embodiment, the major component isprovided with engagement means in three sites thereon, said sitescomprising:

[0028] a site located in the minor wedge-forming face, disposedsubstantially towards the minor end thereof, which site accommodates theengagement means of the minor component so as to form the benchconfiguration;

[0029] a site located in the fifth face of the pentagon, which siteaccommodates the engagement means of the minor component so as to: formthe chair configuration; and

[0030] a site located within the cut-out section, in the internal faceintersecting the major end-face, being parallel with the majorwedge-forming face, which site accommodates the engagement means of theminor component so as to form the incline configuration;

[0031] and the minor component is provided with engagement means in onesite thereon, said site being located on the first wedge-forming facethereof.

[0032] It is currently preferred that the complementary engagement meansprovided on said first major component and said second minor componentare in the form of male and female members. More preferably, said firstmajor component is provided with female member(s) only, and said secondminor component is provided with male member(s) only.

[0033] The wedge-subtending angle θ, is preferably in the range of from20° to 35°, and more preferably, is substantially equal to 26°. Angle αis preferably in the range of from 10° to 25°, angle β is preferably inthe range of from 0° to 25°, and still more preferably, α and β aresubstantially equal to one another, most preferably having a valuesubstantially equal to 13°.

[0034] In the instance where the angles α and β are substantially equalto one another, the shape of the minor component, in overall outline inthe shared normally-vertical plane of symmetry that accommodates theuser's body-axis, will be that of a trapezium.

[0035] The major wedge-forming face and the major end-face of the majorcomponent, subtend an angle φ. This same angle, φ is also subtended bythe second wedge-forming face and the major end-face of the minorcomponent, and in the case where α=β, the angle subtended by the firstwedge-forming face and the major end-face of the minor component is alsoequal to φ. The value of φ, and of all the other internal angles of themajor and minor components, is dependent on the values of θ, α, and β,with the particular relationship between θ and φ being expressed by theformula θ=180−2φ, such that the value of φ is preferably in the range offrom 65° to 80°, and more preferably is substantially equal to 77°.

[0036] The relative dimensions of the constituent faces of the major andminor components are also partly dependent on the value of θ.

[0037] The length of the major wedge-forming face of the major componentis preferably in the range of from 800 to 1300 mm, and more preferablyis substantially equal to 1035 mm;

[0038] The length of the major end-face of the major component ispreferably in the range of from 300 to 525 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 370 mm, such that when the major and minorcomponents are assembled so as to form the bench configuration, theheight of the major wedge-forming face of the major component aboveground level is preferably in the range of from 300 to 500 mm, and morepreferably is substantially equal to 360 mm;

[0039] The length of the minor wedge-forming face of the minor componentis preferably in the range of from 550 to 900 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 715 mm;

[0040] The length of the fifth face of the major component is preferablyin the range of from 235 to 385 mm, and more preferably is substantiallyequal to 305 mm; and

[0041] The length of the minor end-face of the major component ispreferably in the range of from 30 to 50 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 40 mm.

[0042] The length of the first wedge-forming face of the minor componentis preferably in the range of from 280 to 495 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 370 mm;

[0043] The length of the second wedge-forming face of the minorcomponent is preferably in the range of from 285 to 495 mm, and morepreferably is substantially equal to 370 mm;

[0044] The length of the major end-face of the minor component ispreferably in the range of from 255 to 410 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 330 mm;

[0045] The length of the minor end-face of the minor component ispreferably in the range of from 125 to 205 mm, and more preferably issubstantially equal to 160 mm; and

[0046] The height of the minor end-face of the minor component above themajor end-face thereof is preferably in the range of from 280 to 450 mm,and more preferably is substantially equal to 360 mm.

[0047] The width of the major and minor components normal to the planeof symmetry heretofore described is not essential to the operation ofthe present invention. Nevertheless, it is currently preferred that thewidths of the major and minor components should be equal to one another,and preferably should be substantially equal to 350 mm. The presence ofthe side-pods at the vertex containing the cut-out section increases theexternal width of the major component to substantially 380 mm, with aninternal separation between the side-pods of substantially 355 mm, so asto accommodate the minor component.

[0048] In the currently preferred embodiment, the male member(s) are inthe form of (an) upstanding ridge(s) and the complementary femalemember(s) are in the form of groove(s), each extending substantiallyacross the width of the respective component face. Preferably, saidridges and complementary grooves(s) will be of generally cylindrical or,more preferably “tear-drop” or “omega-shaped” cross-section, that ishaving the shape of the Greek letter Ω.

[0049] In a still further preferred embodiment, the set of male memberscomprises a pair of ridges, and the sets of female members located onthe minor wedge-forming face and the fifth-face of the major component,comprise a pair of grooves. Above all it is preferred that said pair ofridges and said pairs of grooves comprise members of different size, sothat the minor component may only enter into engagement with the majorcomponent, at said sites on the major component at which said pairs ofgrooves are located, in one specific intended orientation, thus formingthe bench or chair configurations.

[0050] A third female member which is located within the cut-out sectionof the major component, comprises a single groove located in theinternal face which intersects the major end-face, and is parallel tothe fifth-face and major wedge-forming face. This groove co-operateswith the complementary ridge member on the minor component locatedclosest to the minor end-face thereof. Said groove is also preferablyprovided with small flexibly resilient lugs on its internal surfacewhich serve to grip the ridge of the minor component, thus holding it inplace when the apparatus is assembled in its incline configuration. Dueto the presence of the side-pods, it is not possible for thecomplementary engagement means to mutually engage in a direction normalto the main plane of symmetry, as is the case for the formation of thebench and chair configurations. Instead, for the formation of theincline configuration, the ridge is pushed into the groove in adirection normal to the axis thereof, being held in position by the lugsin a so-called “snap-fit” kind of construction.

[0051] The minor component may also be additionally provided, withflexibly resilient lugs located above or below the ridges, at the edgesof the first wedge-forming face. These lugs will co-operate withcomplementary apertures located in similar positions relative to thegrooves on the major component. When the components are then assembledso as to form the active configurations, the lugs and complementaryapertures will then co-operate in semi-locking engagement, and will“click” into place in order that the user may know-when the componentsare correctly aligned with respect to one another.

[0052] The major component and/or the minor component may also beprovided with channels shaped so as to receive elastic resistance bandstherein during use of the apparatus.

[0053] Such elastic resistance bands are widely used in commercial andhome gymnasiums, and it is envisaged that, in addition to the exerciseapparatus according to the present invention being used with or withoutsimple weights such as dumbbells, wrist-weights, and the like, thesebands may also be used in combination therewith. The various positionsof the channels shaped so as to receive the elastic resistance bands,will be determined by the particular exercise schedule associated witheach configuration. The use of these elastic resistance bands incombination with the apparatus of the present invention, has the effectof turning the apparatus into an exercise “machine” rather than merely aplatform on which exercises may be performed.

[0054] Hand-grips may also be provided on the major and/or minorcomponent, serving to facilitate the performing of particular exerciseschedules associated with each configuration, and their locations on theapparatus being determined accordingly. These handgrips will preferablybe in the form of cut-out sections, and more preferably be substantiallycrescent-shaped.

[0055] Whilst it is envisaged that the present invention may beconstructed from any material which is robust enough to withstand theforces exerted on the apparatus during the exercises performed thereon,but yet being lightweight enough to be easily manipulated between thevarious configurations, it is currently preferred that the major andminor components are formed substantially from injection mouldedplastics material. The internal structure of the major and minorcomponents will preferably be defined by a plurality of cross-members,or a so-called “honeycomb” effect in order to impart structural strengthto the components, and to distribute the forces exerted on the apparatusduring use equally across the structure. The combined weight of theapparatus will be substantially less than known metal exercise benches,which typically weigh in the region of 20-25 kg, and will preferably beless than 12 kg.

[0056] The major and minor wedge-forming faces of the major component,and the minor end-face of the minor component are preferably providedwith expanded-foam padding so as to provide exercise platforms thereon.Such padding may advantageously be formed as an integral part of theapparatus, in and by a secondary injection moulding process. Thispadding will provide extra comfort and safety for the user, due to itsshock-absorbent properties, and will also provide an anti-slip effectwhen the apparatus is assembled in configurations where the paddedexercise platforms come into contact with the ground.

[0057] It is desirable that the major and minor components are alsoprovided with studs at the corners of the faces which are intended tocome into contact with the floor in each of the configurations of theapparatus. These studs will preferably be formed of resilient rubbermaterial, and serve both to protect the apparatus from damage, and toprevent slipping during use.

[0058] In a still further embodiment of the invention, the majorwedge-forming face of the major component is in the form of a detachableplatform; and there are further provided mounting blocks on which saiddetachable platform may be mounted, so as to form a so-called “step”aerobics exercise platform.

[0059] The detachable step platform will preferably be of equal lengthto the major wedge-forming face of the major component to which itattaches, and of equal width to said major component at its base, butwith sloping sides such that the upper-face of said platform preferablyhas a width substantially equal to 215 mm, and the height of saidupper-face above the base of said platform will preferably besubstantially equal to 65 mm.

[0060] This modification is provided in order that the user mayincorporate aerobic exercise into their fitness regime in addition tothe anaerobic exercises already mentioned, thus offering a “total”fitness work-out. The use of so-called “step” platforms, is widely knownand used in the field of aerobics, and is described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,620,404.

[0061] The detachable mounting will preferably be achieved by means ofsecondary engagement means similar to the primary engagement meansdescribed above with regard to the inter-engagement of the major andminor components. It is currently preferred that, these secondaryengagement means comprise male member(s) in the form of ridges locatedsubstantially towards either end of the major wedge-forming face of themajor component; and female member(s) in the form of grooves, located incomplementary positions on the underside of the detachable “step”platform. These male and female members may also be of different sizesin order to ensure that the major component and the detachable platformare engageable only in one specific intended orientation.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the majorcomponent may be further provided with a storage compartment therein,designed so as to accommodate items such as the elastic resistancebands, small weights, and other fitness accessories.

[0063] The present invention extends to encompass a kit of parts,whether assembled or not, comprising the major and minor components, andoptionally, the detachable step platform and any associated accessoriessuch as elastic resistance bands, dumb-bells, wrist-weights etc.

[0064] In order that the present invention may be more fully understood,currently preferred embodiments will now be described in more detail,though only by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are diagrammatic in order to illustrate certainfeatures, and therefore not to an uniform scale, and in which:

[0065]FIG. 1 is an essentially cross-sectional view (taken in thenormally-vertical plane of symmetry that accommodates the user'sbody-axis) of the major component of the exercise apparatus;

[0066]FIG. 2 is a similar, essentially cross-sectional view (taken asbefore in the same, shared normally-vertical plane of symmetry thataccommodates the user's body-axis) now of the minor component of theexercise apparatus;

[0067]FIG. 3 is a similar, essentially cross-sectional view (taken asbefore in the same shared normally-vertical plane of symmetry thataccommodates the user's body-axis) this time of the detachable stepplatform;

[0068]FIG. 4 is an end view of the major component of FIG. 1, in slightperspective so as to show the cut-away section contained within thevertex between the major end-face and the fifth face of the pentagonalmajor component;

[0069]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a currently preferred embodimentof the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4, when assembled in the benchconfiguration;

[0070]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of theapparatus, when assembled in the chair configuration;

[0071]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same embodiment of theapparatus, when assembled in the incline configuration; and

[0072]FIG. 8 is an exploded, diagrammatic view (not to a consistentscale) showing in more detail a preferred construction of thecomplementary engagement means between the major and minor componentswhen assembled in the bench configuration; and

[0073]FIG. 9 is a similar, exploded, diagrammatic view showing apreferred construction of the engagement means between the major andminor components when assembled in the incline configuration.

[0074] Referring first to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the overalloutline of the major component 2, in the normally-vertical plane ofsymmetry (which, when in use also accommodates the user's body axis) isa generally wedge-shaped irregular pentagon. This pentagon is defined byopposed non-parallel major and minor wedge-forming faces 4,5, whichsubtend an acute angle θ; also by two other opposed generally-parallelfaces comprising a major end-face 6 and a minor end-face 7; and a fifthface 8, which intersects with the minor wedge-forming face 5 at one endthereof, and with the major end-face 6 at its other end.

[0075] The minor component 3, as shown in FIG. 2, has an overall outline(in the same normally-vertical plane of symmetry) which is a generallywedge-shaped tetragon, or preferably a trapezium. This tetragon isdefined by two opposed nonparallel first and second wedge-forming faces9,10, which also subtend an acute angle θ; and by two other opposed,generally-parallel faces comprising a major end-face 11 and a minorend-face 12.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 3, this shows a detachable step platform13, defined by top side 14, under-side 15, and first and second ends 16and 17.

[0077] The major and minor wedge-forming faces 4 and 5 of the majorcomponent 2, and the minor end-face 12 of the minor component 3 form theexercise platforms of the apparatus 1 when assembled in its variouspossible configurations, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0078] The major component 2 is further provided with a cut-out section,generally indicated 18, located within the corner between the majorend-face 6 and the fifth face 8 of the pentagon. This cut-out section 18comprises a first internal face 19 which intersects the fifth face 8 ofthe pentagon, and is parallel to the major end-face 6; and a secondinternal face 20 which intersects the major end-face 6 and is parallelwith the major wedge-forming face 4 and the fifth face 8, such that theangle subtended by internal face 20 and the minor wedge-forming face 5is also θ, as shown by dotted line a in FIG. 1.

[0079] As best shown in FIG. 4, the cut-out section 18 is provided oneither side with side-pods 21. These side-pods 21 serve to stabilise theapparatus 1 when assembled in its bench and chair configurations, asshown in FIGS. 5 & 6 respectively, but allow the minor component 3 togain access to the cut-out section 18 in order to assemble theapparatus. 1 in the incline configuration, as shown in FIG. 7. The sidepods 21 act as extensions to the fifth side 8 and the major end-face 6,but are displaced outwards from the pentagonal sides of the majorcomponent 2.

[0080] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the majorcomponent 2 is provided with engagement means in the form of three setsof female members 22,23,24. The first set 22 is located in the minorwedge-forming face 5, disposed substantially towards the minor end 7thereof; the second set 23 is located in the fifth face 8, in front ofthe side-pods 21; and the third set 24 is located within the secondinternal face 20 of the cut-out section 18. Each of these sets of femalemembers 22,23,24 are engageable with complementary engagement means onthe minor component 3, in the form of a set of male members 25 locatedon the first wedge-forming face 9 thereof. This set of male members 25engages alternatively with each of the sets of female members 22,23,24,in order to assemble the apparatus 1 in, respectively, the bench, chair,and incline configurations, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0081] The major component 2 is further provided on its majorwedge-forming face 4 with secondary engagement means in the form of aset of male members 30 shaped so as to cooperate with complementarysecondary engagement means in the form of a set of female members 31,located within the under-side 15 of the detachable step platform 13. Thedetachable step platform 13 can then be attached to the majorwedge-forming face 4 of the major component 2 by means of thecomplementary secondary engagement means 30 and 31, in order that thetop side 14 of said detachable step platform 13 forms the exerciseplatform when the apparatus 1 is assembled so as to form the bench andincline configurations.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 5, this shows exercise apparatus, generallyindicated 1, as assembled in the bench configuration. The major andminor components 2,3 are assembled in such a manner that the minorwedge-forming face 5 of the major component 2 is in abutting facialcontact with the first wedge-forming face 9 of the minor component 3,and the assemblage is locked in position by the engagement of malemembers 25 with the first set of female members 22. The minor end-face 7of the major component 2 is co-planar with the major end-face 11 of theminor component 3. The second wedge-forming face 10 of the minorcomponent 3 is co-planar with the fifth face 8 of the major component 2,and both of these rest on the ground. The detachable step platform 13 isattached to the major wedge-forming face 4 of the major component 2, andits top side 14 is disposed horizontally so as to form the exerciseplatform, which will preferably be padded, and may desirably be shapedso as to have sloping edges 26,27.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 6, this shows the exercise apparatus,generally indicated 1, when assembled in the chair configuration. Thisconfiguration is formed by placing the major and minor components 2,3 sothat their respective major end-faces 6,11 are side-by-side, co-planar,and resting on the ground. The fifth face 8 of the major component 2 isin abutting facial contact with the first wedge-forming face 9 of theminor component, and the assemblage is locked in position by theengagement of the set of male members 25 with the second set of femalemembers 23. The minor end-face 7 of the major component 2 and the minorend-face 12 of the minor component 3 are both horizontal, and the minorend-face 12 of the minor component 3 forms the seat portion of thechair, which preferably will be padded. The minor wedge-forming face 5of the major component 2 forms the back-support portion of the chair,which preferably will also be padded, and reclines from the vertical atan angle equal to β, which is also the angle at which the secondwedge-forming face 10 of the minor component 3 reclines from thevertical.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 7, this shows the exercise apparatus,generally indicated 1, when assembled in the incline configuration. Theminor wedge-forming face 5 of the major component 2 rests on the ground,as does the second wedge-forming face 10 of the minor component 3. Theminor component 3 is inserted into the cut-out section 18 so that theminor end-face 12 of the minor component 3 is in abutting facial contactwith the first internal face 19 of the major component 2, and the firstwedge-forming face 9 of the minor component 3 is in abutting facialcontact with the second internal face 20 of the major component 2. Theassemblage in this configuration is locked in position by the engagementof the set of male members 25 with the third set of female members 24.The detachable step platform 13 is attached to the major wedge-formingface 4 of the major component 2 so that its top side 14 then forms theexercise platform, which will preferably be padded, and is inclined atan angle θ from the horizontal.

[0085] The major and minor components 2,3 may also preferably beprovided with handgrips 28 in the form of cut-out crescents, andchannels 29 shaped so as to accommodate the use of elastic resistancebands (not shown). The locations of these handgrips 28 and channels 29will be determined according to the particular exercise schedulesassociated with the apparatus.

[0086] In order that the major component 2 and the minor component 3 mayonly be engaged in one specific orientation at each engagement site, itis currently preferred that the sets of male and female members shouldcomprise members of substantially different sizes, as shown inexaggerated detail in FIG. 8. It will be seen that the set of malemembers 25 on the minor component 3 comprises a smaller member 25 a anda larger member 25 b. Likewise, the set of complementary female members22 on the major component 2, with which the male members 25 a, 25 b onthe minor component 3 may engage, comprises a smaller member 22 a and alarger member 22 b.

[0087] It will be appreciated that the smaller male member 25 a may onlyengage with the smaller female member 22 a, and not with the largerfemale member 22 b; whilst the larger male member 25 b may only engagewith the larger female member 22 b, and not with the smaller femalemember 22 a. Whilst this preferred construction of engagement means isonly shown here with reference to the engagement of the set of malemembers 25 with the first set of female members 22, it will beappreciated that this preferred construction also extends to theengagement of the set of male members 25 with the second set of femalemembers 23, and to the engagement of the secondary male and femalemembers 30, 31 which enable the attachment of the detachable stepplatform 13 to the major component 2. Additionally, although it is shownhere that 25 b is greater in size than 25 a, and that 22 b is greater insize than 22 a, these relative proportions may of course be reversed.

[0088] It is currently preferred that the third set of female members24, which is located within the second internal face 20, should compriseonly one groove, shaped so as to receive the male member 25 a on theminor component 3 which is closest to the minor end-face 12 thereof, asis best shown in FIG. 9. The male member 25 a is arranged to engage withthe female member 24 by a ‘snap-fit’ mechanism. This is unlike theengagement of the male members 25 with the other two sets of femalemembers 22, 23 (in order to form the bench and chair configurations)which is achieved by sliding the ridges of the male members 25 into thegrooves of the female members 22, 23 from a direction normal to theshared plane of symmetry of the major and minor components. It will benoted that when assembling the apparatus 1 in the incline configuration,the second male member 25 b is not used in the inter-engagement of themajor and minor components 2, 3.

1. Exercise apparatus in the form of a kit of parts, whether assembledor not, which comprises at least a first major component and a secondminor component each provided with engagement means complementary tothose on the other and detachably interengageable therewith inalternative mutual orientations of the components so that the resultantassemblage can be arranged and rearranged at will to assume a range ofalternative configurations comprising bench, chair and inclineconfigurations.
 2. Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in whichthe major and minor components are each substantially symmetrical abouta shared, normally-vertical plane of symmetry, which in use alsoaccommodates the user's body-axis when the apparatus is assembled in thebench, chair or incline configurations.
 3. Exercise apparatus as claimedin claim 1 or claim 2, in which the complementary engagement means onboth the major component and the minor component are disposed and aremutually engageable and disengageable normal to said plane of symmetryin order to assume at least said bench and chair configurations. 4.Exercise apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in whichthe major component is provided with engagement means in at least threealternative sites thereon, each of them interengageable at will withcomplementary engagement means provided at a site on the minorcomponent, said sites on the major component being so located thereon asto configure the resultant assemblage respectively as bench, chair orincline.
 5. Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which inoverall outline in the shared normally-vertical plane of symmetry thataccommodates the user's body axis the major and minor components areeach generally wedge-shaped, the opposed, wedge-forming sides thereofsubtending the same angle θ in each component, so that when assembledwith one of the wedge-forming sides of each component in abuttingcontact with one of the wedge-forming sides of the other then therespectively opposed sides of both components are parallel with eachother, thus to arrange the assemblage in its bench configuration. 6.Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which in overalloutline in the shared normally-vertical plane of symmetry thataccommodates the user's body-axis, the major component is a generallywedge-shaped irregular pentagon, having major and minor wedge-formingsides, and the minor component is a generally wedge-shaped irregulartetragon each of said components having two opposed non-parallel facessubtending the same angle θ in each component and each having two otheropposed generally-parallel faces, the pentagon having a fifth faceintersecting with the minor wedge-forming face at one end thereof andwith the major end-face at its other end, and being parallel to themajor wedge-forming face, so that when assembled with the majorend-faces of both components side-by-side in the same horizontal planeand with one of the wedge-forming faces of the tetragon in abuttingfacial contact with the fifth face of the pentagon then the assemblageis arranged so as to assume its chair configuration with the minor endface of the tetragon in an horizontal plane to serve as seat-portion ofsaid chair and the minor wedge-forming face of the pentagon reclinestherefrom to serve as back-portion of said chair.
 7. Exercise apparatusas claimed in claim 6, in which the acute angle subtended by thewedge-forming opposed non-parallel faces of both the major and the minorcomponents is θ; the acute angle α between the major wedge-forming faceof the major component and a perpendicular from the major end-facethereof is equal to the acute angle α between the first wedge-formingface of the minor component and a perpendicular from the major end-facethereof; the acute angle β between the minor wedge-forming face of themajor component and a perpendicular from the major end-face thereof isequal to the acute angle β between the second wedge-forming face of theminor component and a perpendicular from the major end-face thereof; andin which α+β=θ; while the back-portion of said chair reclines at anacute angle from the vertical, which is equal to β.
 8. Exerciseapparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the major component is furtherprovided with a cut-out section in the corner thereof between its majorend-face and the fifth face thereof, which cut-out section comprises aninternal face intersecting the fifth face being parallel to the majorend-face of the major component, and an internal face intersecting saidmajor end-face being parallel with the major wedge-forming face of saidmajor component; the dimensions of the cut-out being complementary withthose of the minor component, such that when the minor end of the minorcomponent is mated therewith, one of its wedge-forming faces isco-planar with the minor wedge-forming face of the major component, sothat when thus assembled the resultant assemblage assumes its inclineconfiguration.
 9. Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which themajor component is provided with side-pods to either side of the cut-outsection, said side-pods comprising a side parallel to and co-planar withthe fifth face of the pentagon, and a side parallel to and co-planarwith the major end-face of the major component, said side-pods beingdisplaced outwards from the plane of the pentagon so as to constituteextensions of the fifth side thereof and the major end-face, butallowing access to the complementary internal faces within said cut-out.10. Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the at leastthree sites on the major component at which there are providedengagement means comprise: a site located in the minor wedge-formingface, disposed substantially towards the minor end thereof, which siteaccommodates the engagement means of the minor component so as to formthe bench configuration; a site located in the fifth face of thepentagon, which site accommodates the engagement means of the minorcomponent so as to form the chair configuration; and a site locatedwithin the cut-out section, in the internal face intersecting the majorend-face, being parallel with the major wedge-forming face, which siteaccommodates the engagement means of the minor component so as to formthe incline configuration.
 11. Exercise apparatus as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, in which the complementary engagement meansprovided on said first major component and said second minor componentare in the form of male and female members.
 12. Exercise apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, in which said first major component is providedwith female member(s) only, and said second minor component is providedwith male member(s) only.
 13. Exercise apparatus as claimed in any ofclaims 5 to 7, in which the wedge-subtending angle θ is in the range offrom 20° to 35°.
 14. Exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in whichthe wedge-subtending angle θ is substantially equal to 26°.
 15. Exerciseapparatus as claimed in any of claims 7, 13 or 14 in which the angles αand β are substantially equal.
 16. Exercise apparatus as claimed ineither of claims 11 or 12, in which the male member(s) are in the formof (an) upstanding ridge(s) and the complementary female member(s) arein the form of groove(s), each extending substantially across the widthof the respective component face.
 17. Exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 16, in which the male member(s) and the complementary femalemember(s) are of generally cylindrical, polygonal or omega-shapedcross-section.
 18. Exercise apparatus as claimed in either of claims 16or 17, in which the set of male members comprises a pair of ridges andthe first and second sets of female members each comprise a pair ofgrooves.
 19. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which eachpair of ridges and each pair of grooves comprises members of differentsize, so that the minor component may only enter into engagement withthe major component in one specific orientation at each site on themajor component at which the female members are located.
 20. Exerciseapparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the majorcomponent and/or the minor component are provided with channels adaptedto receive elastic resistance bands therein.
 21. Exercise apparatus asclaimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the major componentand/or the minor component are provided with cut-out sections therein toact as hand-grips during use of the apparatus.
 22. Exercise apparatus asclaimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the major and minorcomponents are formed substantially from injection moulded plasticsmaterial.
 23. Exercise apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, 12to 15, or 20 to 22, in which the major wedge-forming face of the majorcomponent is in the form of a detachable platform; and there are furtherprovided mounting blocks on which said detachable platform may bemounted, so as to form a so-called ‘step’ aerobics exercise platform.